Connecting profile for connecting sheet piles of a sheet pile wall

ABSTRACT

A connecting profile for connecting sheet piles of a sheet pile wall includes a substantially straight central strip, and a first, second, and third hook strip extending from the central strip. The first second, and third hook strips each include a curved section and a substantially straight end section extending from the curved section and forming a free end of the hook strip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/308,782, which was filed on Jun. 19, 2014 and claims the benefit ofU.S. provisional patent application 61/843,083, filed Jul. 5, 2013, thedisclosures of which are, both separately and in combination,incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to a connecting profile for connecting sheetpiles of a sheet pile wall.

Connecting profiles for connecting sheet piles are generally known inthe prior art, for example from DE 298 21 624 U1. DE 298 21 624 U1describes different connecting elements for sheet piles. Theseconnecting elements comprise one or more hook strips with differentshape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an enhancedconnecting profile for connecting sheet piles. In particular it is anobject of the present invention to provide an enhanced connectingprofile by means of which a great amount of applications for connectingsheet piles is achieved with one single connecting profile.

This object is achieved by a device according to independent claim 1.

It has been discovered by the invention that connecting elements havingtwo hook strips as described in DE 298 21 624 U1 only cover a certainportion of applications currently used in the field of sheet pileconnecting. Another portion of applications in the field of sheet pileconnecting is covered by sheet piles having three hook strips. Thesolution according to the present invention addresses this problem andprovides a connecting profile covering all desired applications in thefield of sheet pile connecting. At the same time, the connecting profileaccording to the present invention provides the full functionality ofall connecting profiles described in DE 298 21 624 U 1.

The features and preferred embodiments of the connecting profileaccording to the present invention are described in the following asseen in cross section of the connecting profile, i.e. in a viewingdirection parallel to the longitudinal extension of the connectingprofile. The longitudinal extension of the connecting profile can beunderstood as the extension of the connecting profile in drivingdirection when the connecting profile is driven into the ground.Preferably, the cross section of the connecting profile is substantiallyconstant over the longitudinal extension of the connecting profile.

The connecting profile according to the present invention comprises asubstantially straight central strip. The term “straight central strip”can be understood as a strip which is straight along a longitudinal axisof the central strip, the longitudinal axis being perpendicular to thelongitudinal extension of the connecting profile.

The connecting profile according to the present invention furthercomprises a first, second and third hook strip. The first, second andthird hook strip each extend from the central strip. When it is statedin this application that an element, such as a hook strip, extends fromanother element, such as a central strip, this is to be understood thatthe element extends directly or indirectly from the other element.Extending indirectly is to be understood that the element extends fromthe other element with at least one intermediate element arrangedbetween the element and the other element. In other words, theexpression “extending from” includes both meanings as described aboveunless it is explicitly stated.

The first, second and third hook strips include each a curved sectionand a substantially straight end section. However, each hook strip isnot limited to such two elements. Preferably, the curved section isformed by a circular section, preferably a partially circular section. Apartially circular section can be understood a portion of a whole circlesuch as a quarter of a full circle. The end section preferably extendsdirectly from the curved section and forms a free end of the hook strip.This design of the hook section provides the following advantage: asheet pile, which is interlocked with one of the hook strips of theconnecting profile, may swivel relatively to the connecting profile, inparticular in an angle relative to the connecting profile as seen incross section. In other words, the connecting profile may rotaterelative to the sheet piles connected by the connecting profile. At thesame time, the lock of the sheet pile, e.g. a LARSSSEN-lock, is securelyconnected with the respective hook strip of the connecting profile.

In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention are described.It is an advantage of the invention that these embodiments of connectingprofiles according to the present invention are compatible with eachother and compatible with connecting profiles known from the art.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the connecting profileaccording to the present invention, the first hook strip extends fromthe central strip approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis ofthe central strip. The first hook strip extending from the central stripcan, again as mentioned above, be understood as extending directly orindirectly with an intermediate element from the central strip. The term“perpendicular” can be understood in a way that the first hook stripstarts from the central strip in a direction forming together with thelongitudinal axis of the central strip an angle of approximately 90°.

According to an enhancement of the first preferred embodiment, the firsthook strip includes an intermediate transition section extendingapproximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the centralstrip. Preferably the intermediate transition section is substantiallystraight. Further preferably, the intermediate transition sectionextends directly from the central strip and the curved section of thefirst hook strip extends directly from the transition section.

According to a second preferred embodiment of the connecting profileaccording to the present invention, each of the hook strips is attacheddirectly to the central strip, preferably without a straightintermediate transition section between the central strip and therespective hook strip.

According to a further preferred enhancement of the first and secondpreferred embodiment of the connecting profile, the first hook stripincludes a material accumulation at a side of the first hook stripfacing the curved section of the second hook strip. Preferably, thematerial accumulation forms a knoll at the side of the first hook stripfacing the curved section of the second hook strip. The knoll providesfor a secure interlocking between the second hook strip of theconnecting profile and a lock of a sheet pile interlocked with thesecond hook. At the same time, the knoll allows for use of the sameconnecting profile in different configurations, i.e. the connectingprofile is adapted to have different locks of sheet piles interlocked inthe second hook strip.

In a third preferred embodiment of the connecting profile according tothe present invention, the second and third hook strip extend from thecentral strip, and the second hook strip is a mirror image of the thirdhook strip, preferably if mirrored along a longitudinal axis of thecentral strip. Preferably, the second hook strip and third hook stripextend directly from the central strip. Further preferably, the firsthook strip extends directly or indirectly from a first end of thecentral strip whereas the second hook strip and third hook strip extenddirectly from a second end of the central strip.

In an enhancement of the third embodiment of the connecting profile, anangle in the range from 60° to 80°, preferably of approximately 70°, isformed between the longitudinal axis of the central strip and alongitudinal axis of the end section of the second and third hook strip.In other words, the longitudinal axis of the central strip is angledrelative to the longitudinal axis of the end section of the second andthird hook strip with an angle in the range from 60° to 80°, preferablyof approximately 70°. The longitudinal axis of the end section is to beunderstood as an axis directed along the longitudinal extension of therespective end section which extends perpendicular to the longitudinalextension of the connecting profile.

According to a fourth preferred embodiment of the connecting profileaccording to the present invention, the second and third hook stripextend from the central strip, and the second hook strip is a mirrorimage of the third hook strip, if mirrored along a longitudinal axis ofthe central strip and mirrored along an axis perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the central strip. The relation between the secondand third hook strip can be described in other words as follows: Thesecond hook strip can be transformed to the third hook strip by twomirroring steps. First, the second hook strip has to be mirrored along alongitudinal axis of the central strip, and then secondly mirrored alongan axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the centralstrip. Preferably, this relation is achieved in a way that the curvedsection of the third hook strip extends directly from the curved sectionof the second hook strip and, thereby, having S-shape. Furtherpreferably, a first end of the central strip extends directly from thecurved section of the second hook strip and the first hook strip extendsdirectly with its curved section from a second end of the central strip.In this latter case, the central strip and the curved section of thethird hook strip partially overlap.

In a fifth embodiment of the connecting profile according to the presentinvention, the third hook strip comprises a substantially straightintermediate transition section extending approximately perpendicular toa longitudinal axis of the central strip, and preferably wherein thecurved section of the third hook strip extends from the transitionsection. Preferably, the curved section of the third hook strip extendsdirectly from the transition section and, further preferably, thetransition section extends directly from the central strip.

In a preferred enhancement of the fifth embodiment of the connectingprofile, the first hook strip and third hook strip extend from a firstend of the central strip, and the second hook strip extends from asecond end of the central strip. Preferably, the transition section ofthe first hook strip and the transition section of the third hook stripextend directly from the first end of the central strip.

According to a further enhancement of the fifth embodiment of theconnecting profile, the free ends of the first and/or third hook strippoint toward the transition section, and/or the free end of the secondhook strip points substantially toward the central strip. Thisarrangement of the respective free ends provides for a secureinterlocking of a sheet pile lock, such as a LARSSEN-lock, with therespective hook of the connecting profile according to the presentinvention while at the same time allowing such a lock of the sheet pileto swivel in an angle relative to the connecting profile as seen incross section.

In an even further preferred enhancement of the fifth preferredembodiment of the connecting profile, an angle in the range from 60° to80°, preferably of approximately 70°, is formed between a longitudinalaxis of the transition section of the third hook strip and alongitudinal axis of the end section of the third hook strip. In otherwords, the longitudinal axis of the transition section of the third hookstrip is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the end section ofthe third hook strip with an angle in the range from 60° to 80°,preferably of approximately 70°. Again, this provides for a secureinterlocking between a respective hook of the connecting profile and alock of a sheet pile to be connected by means of the connecting profileaccording to the present invention.

In a sixth preferred embodiment of the connecting profile according tothe present invention, the curved section of the first, second and/orthird hook strip have semi-circular shape. This can be understood in away that the curved section forms half of a circle, i.e. the anglebetween the starting point of the extension of the curved section andthe end point of the extension of the curved section is approximately180°.

In an enhancement of the sixth embodiment of the connecting profile, thefree end of the second and/or third hook strip points toward the centralstrip.

According to a seventh preferred embodiment of the connecting profileaccording to the present invention, an angle in the range from 50° to70°, preferably of approximately 60°, is formed between a longitudinalaxis of the end section of the first hook strip and a longitudinal axisof the central strip. This provides for a secure interlocking betweenthe first hook strip of the connecting profile and a lock of a sheetpile to be connected by means of the connecting profile while at thesame time allowing the sheet pile to swivel in an angle relative to theconnecting profile as seen in cross section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described m connection withthe drawings, wherein

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a connecting profile accordingto the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the connecting profileaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the connecting profileaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a connecting profile accordingto the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a connecting profile accordingto the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 6 to 12 illustrate different configurations in which the secondembodiment of the connecting profile as shown in FIG. 2 can be used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-5 show different embodiments of a connecting profile 101 in across sectional view, the viewing direction of which is parallel to alongitudinal extension 102 of the connecting profile which correspondsto the driving direction of the connecting profile when driven into theground. In each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-5 the connectingprofile 101 has a straight central strip 103 which extends along alongitudinal axis 105 of the central strip 103, the longitudinal axis105 being directed perpendicular to the longitudinal extension 102 ofthe connecting profile 101. The connecting profiles 101 shown in FIGS.1-5 each comprise a first hook strip 107, a second hook strip 109 and athird hook strip 111. The respective first, second and third hook stripeach include a curved section 113, 115 and 117 as well as a straight endsection 119, 121 and 123, respectively. The respective end sections 119,121 and 123 extend from the respective curved section 113, 115 and 117and form a free end 125, 127 and 129 of the hook strip 107, 109 and 111,respectively. The free end 127 of the second hook strip 109 pointssubstantially toward the central strip 103. The end section 119 of thefirst hook strip 107 has a longitudinal axis 137. The longitudinal axis137 forms with the longitudinal axis 105 of the central strip 103 anangle of approximately 60°.

FIG. 1 shows the connecting profile 101, wherein the first hook strip107, second hook strip 109 and third hook strip 111 extend from thecentral strip 103 in a way that each of the hook strips is attacheddirectly to the central strip 103, i.e. without any straightintermediate transition section between the central strip and therespective hook strip 107, 109 and 111, respectively. The third hookstrip 111 shown in FIG. 1 extends directly from the second hook strip109. In other words the curved section 117 of the third hook strip 111extends directly from the curved section 117 of the second hook strip109. The curved sections of the second and third hook strip 109 and 111have semicircular shape. Thereby, the third hook strip 111 and thesecond hook strip 109 form an S-shape. In other words, the second hookstrip 109 is a mirror image of the third hook strip 111, if mirroredalong the longitudinal axis 105 of the central strip 103 and thenmirrored along an axis 131 which is directed perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 105 of the central strip 103.

In the connecting profile 101 shown in FIG. 1, the first hook strip 107extends from a first end 133 of the central strip 103 and the secondhook strip 109 and third hook strip 111 extend from a second end 135 ofthe central strip 103. The curved section 113 of the first hook strip107 forms a part of a circle which is less than half of a circle.

The end sections 121 and 123 each have a longitudinal axis 139 and 141,respectively. The respective longitudinal axes 139 and 141 form an anglewith the longitudinal axis 105 of the central strip 103 of approximately60°.

In the connecting profile 101 as shown in FIG. 2, the second hook strip109 and third hook strip 111 extend directly from a second end 135 ofthe central strip 103 and the first hook strip 107 extends directly fromthe first end 133 of the central strip 103. The first hook strip 107extends from the central strip 103 substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 105 of the central strip 103. The first hook strip 107includes a material accumulation 143 formed at a side of the first hookstrip 107 which faces the curved section 115 of the second hook strip109. The second hook strip 109 is a mirror image of the third hook strip111 if mirrored along the longitudinal axis 105 of the central strip109. The longitudinal axis 105 of the central strip 103 is angledrelative to the respective longitudinal axes 139 and 141 of therespective end section 121 and 123 with an angle of approximately 70°.

The connecting profile 101 shown in FIG. 3 is similar to the connectingprofile as shown in FIG. 2. Instead of the material accumulation 143 asshown in FIG. 2, the first hook strip 107 shown in FIG. 3 includes astraight intermediate transition section 145 which extends perpendicularto the longitudinal axis 105 of the central strip 103.

In both FIGS. 2 and 3, the free end 127 of the second hook strip 109 andthe free end 129 of the third hook strip 111 point substantially towardthe central strip 103.

FIG. 4 shows the connecting profile 101, wherein the second hook strip109 extends from the second end 135 of the central strip 103. Thelongitudinal axis 139 of the end section 121 forms an angle with thelongitudinal axis 105 of the central strip 103 of approximately 70°. Thefirst hook strip 107 and third hook strip 111 extend from the first end133 of the central strip 103. The first hook strip 107 includes amaterial accumulation 143 at a side which faces the curved section 115of the second hook strip 109. The third hook strip 111 comprises astraight intermediate transition section 147 which extends from thefirst end 133 of the central strip 103 approximately perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis 105 of the central strip 103. The curved section117 of the third hook strip 111 extends directly from the transitionsection 147. The longitudinal axis 141 of the end section 123 forms anangle with a longitudinal axis 149 of the transition section 147 ofapproximately 70°.

The connecting profile 101 as shown in FIG. 5 is similar to theconnecting profile as shown in FIG. 4. In contrast, the connectingprofile 101 as shown in FIG. 5 does not have a material accumulation143. Instead, the first hook strip 107 includes a straight intermediatetransition section 145 which extends perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis 105 of the central strip 103.

In both FIGS. 4 and 5, the free end 125 of the first hook strip 107 andthe free end 129 of the third hook strip 111 point towards thetransition section 147 of the third hook strip 111.

FIGS. 6 to 12 show in a cross-sectional views different configurationsin which a connecting profile according to the present invention can beused, in particular the connecting profile 101 shown in FIG. 2. I.e. ineach of the FIGS. 6 to 12, sheet piles are illustrated which areconnected by means of the connecting profile 101. The same and similarfeatures are indicated by the same numerals in FIGS. 6 to 12.

Each connecting profile 101 connects a first sheet pile 201, secondsheet pile 203 and third sheet pile 205 by means of the first, secondand third hook strip 107, 109 and 111, respectively, being interlockedwith a Larssen-lock 207, 209 and 211 of the respective sheet pile 201,203 and 205. The sheet piles 201, 204 and 205 are connected with therespective hook strips 107, 109 and 11 in a way that they may swivel inan angle perpendicular to the viewing direction. The swiveling anglesare indicated each in FIGS. 6 to 12 by a leftward arrow 213 representinga swiveling leftwards of a neutral position 215 (counter clockwise) anda rightward arrow 217 representing a swiveling rightwards of the neutralposition 215 (clockwise). The terms leftward arrow 213 and rightwardarrow 217 are to be understood in a way that these arrows are locatedleftwards and rightwards of the neutral position 215 but not in a waythat they would only point leftwards or rightwards.

FIGS. 6 to 9 show similar arrangements of the connecting profile 101being connected to Larssen-locks of sheet piles. These arrangementsdiffer with regard to the dimensions and designs of the sheet piles, inparticular with regard to swiveling ranges of the sheet piles.

The first sheet pile 201 shown in FIG. 6 may swivel leftwards by about35° from the neutral position 215 and rightwards by about 20° from theneutral position 215. The second sheet pile 203 shown in FIG. 6 mayswivel leftwards by about 34° from the neutral position 215 andrightwards by about 20.56° from the neutral position 215. The thirdsheet pile 205 shown in FIG. 6 may swivel leftwards by about 20.56° fromthe neutral position 215 and rightwards by about 34° from the neutralposition 215.

An arrangement 219 of the connecting profile 101 shown in FIG. 7 differsfrom the arrangement shown in FIG. 6 in that the first sheet pile 201shown in FIG. 7 may swivel leftwards by about 39° from the neutralposition 215 and rightwards by about 22° from the neutral position 215.Furthermore, in contrast to the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, the secondsheet pile 203 shown in FIG. 7 may swivel rightwards by about 22.56°from the neutral position 215 and the third sheet pile 205 shown in FIG.7 may swivel leftwards by about 22.56° from the neutral position 215.This is achieved by a different design of the sheet piles shown in FIG.7 compared to the respective sheet piles shown in FIG. 6.

An arrangement 221 of the connecting profile 101 shown in FIG. 8 differsfrom the arrangement shown in FIG. 6 in that the second sheet pile 203shown in FIG. 8 may swivel leftwards by about 38° from the neutralposition 215 and rightwards by about 22.56° from the neutral position215. Furthermore, the third sheet pile 205 shown in FIG. 8 may swivelleftwards by about 22.56 from the neutral position 215 and rightwards byabout 38° from the neutral position 215. This is achieved by a differentdesign of the second and third sheet pile 203 and 205 shown in FIG. 8compared to the second and third sheet pile 203 and 205 shown in FIG. 6.

The arrangement 223 of the connecting profile 101 shown in FIG. 9differs from the arrangement shown in FIG. 6 in that the second sheetpile 203 shown in FIG. 9 may swivel leftwards by about 33° from theneutral position 215 and rightwards by about 22.56° from the neutralposition 215. Furthermore, the third sheet pile 205 shown in FIG. 9 mayswivel leftwards by about 22.56° from the neutral position 215 andrightwards by about 33° from the neutral position 215. This is achievedby a different design of the second and third sheet pile 203 and 205shown in FIG. 9 compared to the second and third sheet pile 203 and 205shown in FIG. 6.

FIGS. 10 to 12 show similar arrangements of the connecting profile 101being connected to Larssen-locks of sheet piles. These arrangementsdiffer with regard to the dimension and designs of the sheet piles, inparticular with regard to swiveling ranges of the sheet piles andmaterial distribution of each sheet pile.

The first sheet pile 201 shown in FIG. 10 may swivel leftwards by about39.47° from the neutral position 215 and rightwards by about 24.02° fromthe neutral position 215. The second sheet pile 203 shown in FIG. 10 mayswivel leftwards by about 34.34° from the neutral position 215 andrightwards by about 22.110 from the neutral position 215. The thirdsheet pile 205 shown in FIG. 10 may swivel leftwards by about 28° fromthe neutral position 215 and rightwards by about 34.76° from the neutralposition 215.

The Larssen-lock 211 of the third sheet pile 205 is similar to theLarssen-locks 207 and 209 in the area of a head portion 225. In contrastto the first sheet pile 201 and second sheet pile 203, a sheet pile wall227 of the third sheet pile 205 is arranged in longitudinal extension ofthe head portion 225 of the Larssen-lock 211. The Larssen-lock 211 has amaterial accumulation 229 instead of a transition portion 231 of thefirst and second sheet pile 201 and 203.

An arrangement 233 of the connecting profile 101 shown in FIG. 11differs from the arrangement shown in FIG. 10 in that the first sheetpile 201 shown in FIG. 11 may swivel leftwards by about 32.32° from theneutral position 215 and rightwards by about 22.56° from the neutralposition 215. The second sheet pile 203 shown in FIG. 11 may swivelleftwards by about 32.18° and rightwards by about 28.45°. Furthermore,the third sheet pile 205 shown in FIG. 11 may swivel leftwards by about27.62° from the neutral position 215 and rightwards by about 32.49° fromthe neutral position 215. This is achieved by a different design of thesecond and third sheet pile 203 and 205 shown in FIG. 11 compared to thesecond and third sheet pile 203 and 205 shown in FIG. 10. In particular,the first sheet pile 201 and second sheet pile 203 shown in FIG. 11 havea thicker transition portion 231, a thicker sheet pile wall 227 and athicker head portion 225 compared to the respective transition portion,sheet pile wall and head portion of the first and second sheet pileshown in FIG. 10. Furthermore, the third sheet pile 205 shown in FIG. 11has a thicker material accumulation 229 and a thicker head portion 225compared to the respective material accumulation and head portion of thethird sheet pile shown in FIG. 10.

An arrangement 235 of the connecting profile 101 shown in FIG. 12differs from the arrangement shown in FIG. 11 in that the first sheetpile 201 shown in FIG. 12 may swivel leftwards by about 30.86° from theneutral position 215 and rightwards by about 19.25° from the neutralposition 215. The second sheet pile 203 shown in FIG. 12 may swivelleftwards by about 31.9° and rightwards by about 24.45°. Furthermore,the third sheet pile 205 shown in FIG. 12 may swivel leftwards by about24.45° from the neutral position 215 and rightwards by about 31.9° fromthe neutral position 215. This is again achieved by different designs ofthe sheet pile wall, head portion as well as the transition portion ormaterial accumulation of the respective sheet piles shown in FIG. 12compared to the respective design of the sheet piles shown in FIG. 11.

There have thus been shown and described novel connecting elements forsheet piles which fulfill all the objects and advantages soughttherefor. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses andapplications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent tothose skilled in the art after considering this specification and theaccompanying drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof.All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses andapplications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of theinvention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to belimited only by the claims which follow.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   101 connecting profile    -   102 longitudinal extension of the connecting profile    -   103 central strip    -   105 longitudinal axis of the central strip    -   107 first hook strip    -   109 second hook strip    -   111 third hook strip    -   113 curved section of the first hook strip    -   115 curved section of the second hook strip    -   117 curved section of the third hook strip    -   119 end section of the first hook strip    -   121 end section of the second hook strip    -   123 end section of the third hook strip    -   125 free end of the first hook strip    -   127 free end of the second hook strip    -   129 free end of the third hook strip    -   131 axis    -   133 first end of the central strip    -   135 second end of the central strip    -   137 longitudinal axis of the end section of the first hook strip    -   139 longitudinal axis of the end section of the second hook        strip    -   141 longitudinal axis of the end section of the third hook strip    -   143 material accumulation    -   145 intermediate transition section    -   147 intermediate transition section    -   149 longitudinal axis of the transition section    -   201 first sheet pile    -   203 second sheet pile    -   205 third sheet pile    -   207, 209, 211 Larssen-lock    -   213 leftward arrow    -   215 neutral position    -   217 rightward arrow    -   219 arrangement of FIG. 7    -   221 arrangement of FIG. 8    -   223 arrangement of FIG. 9    -   225 head portion    -   227 sheet pile wall    -   229 material accumulation    -   231 transition portion    -   233 arrangement of FIG. 11    -   235 arrangement of FIG. 12

What is claimed is:
 1. A connecting profile for connecting sheet pilesof a sheet pile wall, comprising: a substantially straight, elongatecentral strip having a first end and a second end; a first hook stripextending from the first end of the central strip, wherein the firsthook strip includes a curved section and a substantially straight freeend extending from the curved section; a second hook strip extendingfrom the second end of the central strip, wherein the second hook stripincludes a curved section and a substantially straight free endextending from the curved section; and a third hook strip extending fromthe second end of the central strip, wherein the third hook stripincludes a curved section and a substantially straight free endextending from the curved section.
 2. A connecting profile according toclaim 1, wherein the first hook strip extends from the central stripapproximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the central strip.3. A connecting profile according to claim 2, wherein the first hookstrip comprises a substantially straight, intermediate transitionsection extending approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the central strip.
 4. A connecting profile according to claim 1,wherein each of the hook strips is attached directly to the centralstrip, without a straight intermediate transition section between thecentral strip and the respective hook strip.
 5. A connecting profileaccording to claim 2, wherein the first hook strip comprises a materialaccumulation between the curved section of the first hook strip and thecentral strip.
 6. A connecting profile according to claim 1, wherein thesecond hook strip is a substantially mirror image of the third hookstrip, mirrored along a longitudinal axis of the central strip.
 7. Aconnecting profile according to claim 6, wherein an angle in the rangefrom 60° to 80° is formed between the longitudinal axis of the centralstrip and a longitudinal axis of the end section of the second and thirdhook strip.
 8. A connecting profile according to claim 6, wherein anangle of approximately 70° is formed between the longitudinal axis ofthe central strip and a longitudinal axis of the end section of thesecond and third hook strip.
 9. A connecting profile according to claim1, wherein the second hook strip is a mirror image of the third hookstrip mirrored along a longitudinal axis of the central strip andmirrored along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thecentral strip.
 10. A connecting profile according to claim 1, whereinthe third hook strip comprises a substantially straight, intermediatetransition section extending approximately perpendicular to alongitudinal axis of the central strip, and wherein the curved sectionof the third hook strip extends from the transition section.
 11. Aconnecting profile according to claim 1, wherein the curved section ofthe first, second and third hook strips have a substantiallysemicircular shape.
 12. A connecting profile according to claim 11,wherein the free end of the second and/or third hook strips pointstoward the central strip.
 13. A connecting profile according to claim12, wherein the free end of the first hook strip points toward thecentral strip.
 14. A connecting profile according to claim 1, wherein anangle in the range from 50° to 70° is formed between a longitudinal axisof the end section of the first hook strip and a longitudinal axis ofthe central strip.
 15. A connecting profile according to claim 1,wherein an angle of approximately 60° is formed between a longitudinalaxis of the end section of the first hook strip and a longitudinal axisof the central strip.
 16. A connecting profile according to claim 1,wherein an angle in the range from 50° to 80° is formed between alongitudinal axis of the end section of the first, second, and/or thirdhook strips and a longitudinal axis of the central strip.
 17. Aconnecting profile according to claim 1, wherein the third hook stripextends from the second end of the central strip at a first direction,the second hook strip extends from the second end of the central stripat a second direction, and the first direction is substantially oppositeto the second direction.